WAFU B U20: Maxwell Konadu vows Black Satellites will return stronger after WAFU B U-20 exit

Black Satellites head coach Maxwell Konadu says Ghana will use the lessons from the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship to build a stronger and more competitive squad for next year's TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, following Sunday's goalless draw with Togo in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.

The result saw Ghana bow out of the competition after finishing third in Group B, despite producing a decent performances at the tournament. The Black Satellites dominated large periods of the contest and thought they had found the breakthrough, only for their goal to be ruled out.

Speaking after the match, Konadu admitted his disappointment at the team's early exit but insisted the experience would serve as a valuable platform for the future.

"The team came here to compete and to win. Having said that, we also know there were one or two things that didn't go according to plan. In football, you don't always get everything 100 percent."

Reflecting on the contest against Togo, the Ghana coach believed his side deserved more from the game.

"Today's game was difficult because Togo also wanted to win. It was keenly contested, but I think we were slightly ahead of our opponents. We scored a good goal but the referee disallowed it. I don't know why but we accept that because it is part of football."

Despite the disappointment, Konadu stressed that the outcome would not derail the team's long-term ambitions.

"This is not going to demotivate us. Rather, it will encourage us to give our best. We have to move on, reorganise ourselves and come back stronger."

The former Ghana international acknowledged the lofty expectations associated with the Black Satellites, one of Africa's most successful youth national teams.

"This team has enjoyed so much success over the years, so any tournament without the trophy is never acceptable to Ghanaians. That is not what we came here for. The Black Satellites have set very high standards over the years, and that is where we want to take the team back to."

Konadu also revealed that the squad which competed in Côte d'Ivoire is unlikely to be the same one that represents Ghana at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

"We came here to win, but it didn't work out. We will reorganise ourselves. Definitely, we will not present the same team for the AFCON next year."

The coach explained that the tournament provided the technical team with an opportunity to evaluate predominantly home-based players and assess their readiness for future assignments.

"For this tournament, we maintained the home-based boys because we wanted to see what they could offer. Some of them have shown that, given the opportunity, they can really excel."

While expressing satisfaction with the commitment shown by his players, Konadu admitted there was still room for improvement.

"We are happy with the team, but not entirely satisfied with the overall performance. Before this tournament, we talked about the lack of international matches, but we still believed in the boys and encouraged them to give their best. For me, they gave everything."

He added that the competition had helped identify players capable of making the next step while highlighting the importance of proper preparation and international exposure.

"It is good that we have seen what they can do. Some couldn't make the mark, while others showed they have what it takes. Now we have to prepare very well because without proper preparation you cannot win tournaments. We had enough time to train, but I think exposure made the difference."

Konadu concluded by pointing to the unpredictable nature of football, noting that pre-tournament expectations do not always determine outcomes.

"When Nigeria started the tournament, everybody expected them to top the group. But football is unpredictable. You can never be completely sure how things will turn out."

Although the Black Satellites were unable to advance beyond the group stage, the WAFU B U-20 Championship has provided the technical team with invaluable insights as preparations continue for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where Ghana has already secured automatic qualification as tournament hosts.

The competition offered an important opportunity to evaluate players, strengthen team cohesion and lay the foundations for a stronger campaign on home soil next year.

GFA Communications